Nigerian Security Forces "neutralize" 41 Mercenaries In Attack In Western Niger

NIAMEY, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Niger's Defense and Security Forces (FDS) "neutralized" 41 mercenaries and captured two others alive following an attempted attack on their positions Tuesday in the Torodi area of the Tillaberi Region in western Niger, according to an information bulletin released Wednesday by the FDS.

According to the bulletin, relayed by the state broadcaster Télé Sahel, "In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a group of mercenaries launched an attempted attack against an FDS position in the Torodi area. Demonstrating constant vigilance and remarkable responsiveness, the deployed units immediately mounted a response with overwhelming firepower. Caught under sustained and accurate fire, the attackers quickly lost the initiative before being forced into a rout."

The FDS continued their operations "until they had neutralized 41 mercenaries, captured two others alive, and routed the remainder of the group," the statement said.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of a large cache of weapons and equipment, including "two 12.7-mm machine guns, one RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher, two RPG-7 rockets, 44 AK-47 assault rifles, 73 loaded AK-47 magazines, 31 magazine pouches, several thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 37 motorcycles, 24 Motorola radio sets, nine Motorola radio chargers, 11 spare batteries, as well as various other items of equipment."

--NNN-Xinhua